SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

Sacramento County water officials are warning residents about the environmental impact of using certain pesticides to treat ants and other pests.

"We're getting a lot of rain, and with that, sometimes the rain can pick up pesticides or chemicals that are around our homes," said Jeanette Huddleston with the Sacramento County Department of Water Resources.

Huddleston says when the pesticides aren't used correctly or in excess, the rain can wash chemicals off your lawn and right into storm drains.

Right now, water officials are monitoring a chemical commonly used in pesticides to treat ants called pyrethroids, which she says is ending up in waterways and marshes across Northern California.

Water officials say it can cause harm to fish, birds, and aquatic life by affe

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